Charming Photos and Uplifting Writings

Archive for the ‘Road to a Novel’ Category

With the changes in technology, I too have learned how to send a text, check my email on the phone, take pictures and post on social networks, but I have realized my expectations lack anticipation. I have lost that romantic era of letter writing and the connection with my feelings, hopes, and dreams as I long for a response. Those days when I would record in a journal how my heart longs, the days seem endless, and my observations of my surroundings.

There was a time when I was told “Patience is a Virtue,” that it had meaning. I was encouraged to learn to be patient, to maintain steady perseverance, a quality to suppress restlessness without complaint. It would become goodness, an admirable quality that would enhance my life and character.

Excuses I would like to list, blame I can place on broad, general categories, but the truth of the matter, I have to take responsibility with change, to accept new things that can benefit and hold onto the building stepping-stones of the process that got me this far.

My grandson turned 10 years old this month, and I have enjoyed sharing with him each year we celebrate. This year he expressed that he was growing up and felt he had out-grown a few things. There are things we out grow, but virtues, morals, and patience should not be on that list. Those ingredients have become the stepping-stones that assisted, encouraged, and offered guidance to the technology we so much enjoy today. That anticipation to build a better tomorrow depends on those virtues of yesterday being used.

I was once told that when someone beholds and acquires patience, then that person will learn to observe, learn to expand new information, and share a sense of calmness, peacefulness to others which gives some stability to one’s community.

Yes, I will admit, I like the convenience of an instant response to my questions when I text, but I also miss those moments when I would day-dream while I waited and came up with new, creative ideas to keep me busy! Those innovative moments when ideas became gifts for others on their birthday, gifts that benefited a loved one and expanded my horizons in crafts, photography and writing!

The wonderful thing about creativity is I am always learning. Learning something new is insightful, but it’s also motivational to move forward and follow my dreams. New knowledge can create a different perceptive on problem solving. Then I feel better about myself, smile more, and seem to enjoy others around me.

Cycles of situations, the trails of influence, the cause and effect moments; I can choose to dwell on the emptiness of what I don’t have or the fullness of what I can use as resources. It is a marvelous thing when you think about it, choice, but it can be hard to obtain at times. Sometimes, allowing the influences of others can sneak up on you. Before you know it, you identify with their misery that they are comfortable with sharing, voicing, and pointing out the negative, the emptiness of their lives, the lack of desire, and unwillingness to care. I have been told to walk away, but what if it’s family, close friends, or your children?

I don’t have the answers, but what works with me, holding onto what’s true in my heart, my desires, and my dreams. Taking the time to see a young child smile, listen to their giggles, and share in their world of laughter. Walks to breathe in the fresh air, take in my surroundings, and collect my thoughts. A book that allows me to relax, take an adventure, or an uplifting article to read. Carrying my camera as I walk, run errands, to photograph something that’s an eye-catching scene or moment. But most of all, one thing that can be inspiring and help me keep a positive attitude; learning something new.

I appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to sign up for some free classes offered at my local community college, and when I leave, I feel inspired to share what I have learned, use what I have learned, and I discover that new ideas are creating in my thoughts. I am uplifted by the inspiration and the imagination.

In my opinion, welcoming something new, change, or a challenge it feeds into that cycle of situations, trails of influence, and the cause and effect moments; so, I can make better choices, which allow me, to concentrate on the fullness of what’s available, and use what’s around as resources to living abundantly on my journey.

The misty fog can offer a welcoming surprise in the clearing. I know I feel like I’m in the fog, at times, with creative ideas. My thoughts become stumped while writing, and then it comes to me. Life has its moments when situations seem muddled, lacking answers and directions, and then with faith and hope, the fog lifts, and I’m able to see a path, a strategy that can lead me towards my dreams.

I have traveled early in the mornings, and late in the evenings when fog sets in, headlights just bouncing back from the fog, blinding me to see the following curve. I have to slow my speed down and keep my attention closer to the front area of my hood and edge of the road. Like my life, there are times I have to focus more on me, my surroundings and take my time before making some serious decisions.

But it’s those times coming out of the fog and what I am able to see. Like a picture, captured with surrounding fog, it gives it something unique, life becomes unique surrounded in the fog. I’ve noticed that when I’m hiking in the fog my other senses become more sensitive and aware, I hear more of nature and I notice more around me while feeling the gentleness of the mist. I know I appreciate those sunny, bright moments, but sometimes I don’t slow down enough to take in my surrounding. Yes, I enjoy seeing the blue of the sky, experiencing the warmth of the sun, and I am able to see further while driving, but traveling through the fog can become a unique experience that adds gratification, suspense, and reward.

A Change in the Scenery

Devoted to the challenge,
Striving for the best,
Aware of the improvements,
Changes are necessary.

Stumbles in the dark,
Puzzle pieces are missing,
Lack of light to see,
Frustration comes with change.

When the New Year rings in, I know I can come up with a list of creative changes. As the weeks pass and plans made for the following month, I sometimes forget that list.

I have learned with each new year that it’s not the actual list, but the pursuit within to build upon and better myself that makes each new year an experience to look forward to accepting.

It is not a new diet or exercise program. It is not the intention of quitting an unfavorable habit. It is the desire to become stronger and better than before. When reaching out to others, the more those basic goals seem to fall into place, and I become a better person. It’s taking responsibility for me and my actions. To support others, to love more, to devote myself to help; then that extraordinary magic that comes from joy and happiness seems to take control. I find myself to be succeeding in the simple goals, and finding hidden strength to overcome the discouraging and disappointing moments.

Devotion to Live

I dedicate myself,
To dance through the unexpected,
Smile into the light of the sunrise,
Grasp a dream that lifts my spirit,
Stand firm in faith that I can,
Follow the multicolored path of joy,
Flow in the whirling strong winds,
No doubt to endless possibilities.

I challenge myself,
To ride out the storms of discouragement,
To cheer Hope on to win over Disbelief,
To lean on the magical spirit in courage,
To listen beyond the deafness of uncertainty,
To count the blessings with each sunset,
Grow from the gifts of life’s experiences,
No doubt to endless possibilities.

I accept myself,
Clouds of vagueness,
Paths of insecurities,
There will be no hold.
Devotion and challenge,
Rainbows of promise,
Sunrise to sunset,
No doubt to endless possibilities.

I was asked the other day, “Why Creativity?”
Well, let’s define creativity first. It is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create significant and meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination; according to the dictionary.
It’s an everyday quality that I truly believe everyone has and processes to make life more meaningful. I appreciate the state of being creative with photography and writing, but I also use that skill in problem solving daily issues.

Niagara Falls

The Heart of Creativity

Concepts to hold,
Stories to be told,
Originality of thought,
Expression caught,
Illustrations to share,
Ideas to bare,
Discovery will peak,
Something to be unique!

Not today, I’m not going to think about summer is coming to an end. I want to reflect on the moments shared with others and the laughs that have lifted my spirits. Those warm days with a mild breeze, birds flying overhead and breathing in the freshness of grass cut. The summer joys of gathering around the tantalizing aroma of the grill while it cooked my favorite meal and the taste of homemade ice cream. Those strolls on the shore, after a day of play in the waves, feeling relaxed while waves softly wash my feet and there seemed to be magic in the air. The serene evening of sitting on the screened porch while crickets are keeping temp as they play. The travels and trips to see family and friends has been something to treasure from summer, also, the experiences have given me an optimistic hopefulness to writing and see things more creative.

So, I will not say “good-bye” to summer, but will welcome autumn and the joys of new experiences to be shared as I look forward to hikes, changing of the leaves, cozy-hoodie weather, bonfires, photographing color and whatever comes my way that can inspire and evolve creativity!

The tunnel of summer trees, green and deep are making it difficult to see far down the dirt strips of the road. Spanish moss hangs low from the branches, giving it an eerie aura that not many have traveled these parts. The sun rays break through with blinding beams just before it sets. I’m blinded and confused in the twist in the road, unsure of what’s coming or where I’m going.

Visualized Path

To form a mental image in my mind, visibly see the image as it would grow into a story, which I was drawn into as I turned each page, to me, that’s what, comes from visualizing with creativity. I enjoy closing a good book, sitting back and thinking I certainly knew that character. Taking a trip, visiting a place I had read about and feeling like I have been here before and I had from the story.

That’s the incredible thing about books; there are so many genres, that there is something for everyone. A trip to the past, a conflict at present, or a leap into the future, there is always something. That is an adventure I find less youth experience today with the various computer games, movies, easy short cuts to get information without truly reading. What happened to those rainy Saturdays, when I couldn’t go outside, so a good book was the comfort of the day?